Sharon Full Gospel Church Osborne Road, Pontypool NP4 6LU Registered Charity Number 1050642 Trustees Annual Report 2023
Aims and Purposes
Sharon Full Gospel Church is an independent Christian church, and a member of the Evangelical Alliance (Membership Number 251867). Our main aim is to advance the Christian religion. As is set out in our governing documents, we seek to achieve this aim by proclaiming the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord through preaching and teaching of the Word of God and by maintaining a place of worship and prayer for this purpose.
We believe our main aims may also be advanced by our providing a practical expression of our religious faith through charitable works which support our local community: by relieving poverty, providing activities for families and children, and promoting better community cohesion and mental and physical health.
Objectives and Activities
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community aims. Each year our trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect our aims. In carrying out this review the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
Our aim remains to proclaim the Christian message, as expressed in our statement of faith and ethos statement, providing a facility where Christians can both worship and express their faith practically by supporting and working in partnership with the local community.
Achievements and Performance
The church has opened throughout the week for various religious meetings for prayer, worship and Bible teaching. Membership has so far remained constant, but a few new families are in regular attendance. Our mission to proclaim the gospel has continued in partnership with other churches, distributing Christian literature and holding joint open air services at Christmas, Easter and in the Summer.
In addition to this, we run a wide-ranging programme of community work, and employ a part-time Community Engagement Worker, in a project called “Hope for the Community.”
Our community café is at the heart of this project, and opens on Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-noon, manned by 2 part-time staff and a team of 8 volunteers on rota (half of whom are church members, half are from the wider community). We regularly see 40-60 people during each of these sessions, and sometimes more. With free tea/coffee and snacks, and a play space for children, the café brings people together. Our visitors comment on the friendly welcome, and how it has helped relieve their social isolation and promote a better sense of community. We regularly collate case studies and demographic information of those people who have been helped by the project for our monitoring and reporting purposes.
Our monthly Community Connect meal is open to all and has attracted an average of 15-20 each month, but has been as high as 29 and 48 on two occasions.
People call into the café to receive help with fuel poverty throughout the winter through our Help2Heat scheme which gives emergency fuel top-up grants of £30 each towards their energy bills. This programme was relaunched in November 2023 thanks to funding from Newsquest (who own the local newspaper), and in less than 2 months 45 families were helped. The scheme continues to run and is funded until 2025, by which time we hope over 500 families will have been supported.
At the café, we are joined by a wide range of community partners who can further help our visitors. For example, Christians Against Poverty provides budgeting and debt advice sessions, which run alongside our own “shopping & cooking on a budget” course. Torfaen Council’s “Building Resilient Communities” team are present each week to help with benefits advice and emergency financial support. Bron Afon (a local housing association) send their staff to help tenants in arrears. Communities for Work help people looking for a job and with their CVs. (We have 5 tablet computers available for our visitors to use for job search.) Pobl is an organisation that offers mental health support, and Gwent Police hold community surgeries. All this happens in our café, as partner agencies have told us we frequently have the highest footfall of any location they have visited in the borough (often 600-750 per month – we use both an infrared counter and registration forms to keep track of numbers). This is because our location is in the town centre, near a multi-storey car park, and near a main bus route.
Alongside the Fareshare, we have supported to families with children during the school holidays (when free school meals are not available). This support takes various forms across the year, as we try to support more families, with approx. 200 helped so far. Our main schemes in 2023 were:
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Grab a Meal Bag – We offer a meal planner with ingredients and instructions to cook a healthy meal for a family of four.
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Family Hampers – We provide a hamper, again with full instructions on a recipe card, and all ingredients provided, to prepare 10 meals (2 a day for 5 days) for a family of four. We place a charge of £5 on these, for approx. £20 value of ingredients.
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Family Breakfast Hampers – as above but with enough for 5 days of breakfasts for families with children.
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Family Activity Days – Recently these have included our extremely successful Christmas Fayre, which attracted over 100 people, which is a record for us. The aim is to put on events which families will want to bring their children to. We offer crafts, face painting and entertainment etc. But while families are there, we make sure we provide hot cooked snacks for the children, and our volunteers work hard to signpost parents to further help which is available through the hub.
Despite the secular nature of our community project, many people, having visited us for practical help, also want to find out about spiritual help available. Indeed, with our project footfall running at 600-750 people per month, church leadership have struggled to keep up with the level of such demand. We received grant money from the SMB Trust to hire a community chaplain for 6 hours each week who works in our community café to deal with faith enquiries and provide a listening ear, especially in times of bereavement.
We also continue to employ a part-time children’s & families minister, who runs a Christian afterschool club for 5-11 year olds one night per week, and a parent & toddler group one morning per week, and liaises with the local school.
Financial Review
The final balance sheet for 2023 is attached. The report from our independent examiner is still pending. The total income for the year was £60,506.36. £39,420.97 of which was restricted for our community project,
and £2,000 for our chaplaincy. £19,085.39 was donated for general funds. In addition to the direct expenses from the restricted funds, an amount of £12,762.13 was transferred across during the year from restricted to general funds, covering pro-rata core costs as agreed with donors in our grant acceptance agreements.
Reserves Policy
Sharon Full Gospel Church maintains a reserve of approx. 9 months of operating costs whenever possible to cover eventualities such as unforeseen increases in day-to-day operational costs, or when a source of income may be lost (as when a member leaves or dies). This reserve does not include restricted funds. During 2023 our reserve fell in real terms to only 6 months of operating costs, and this is being carefully monitored.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who are drawn both from the church membership and our local community. They work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. Thank you also to our trustees, elders, and deacons for keeping the church running.
Structure, Governance and Management
The church is administered by the Church Council, which is a team of at least three trustees (minimum of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer), the appointment of whom is set out in the governing document. These are assisted in the day-to-day religious life of the church by elders and deacons the appointment of whom is also set out in the governing document. The Church Council meet six times each year.
Administrative Information
Sharon Full Gospel Church is an independent Christian church situated in Osborne Road, Pontypool NP4 6LU. It is a member of the Evangelical Alliance. The correspondence address is The Minister, Bethany, 7 Park View, Freeholdland Road, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool NP4 8LP.
Church Council Members (Trustees): Reverend Mathew Bartlett (Chair of Trustees), Mrs Barbara Yvonne Owens (Treasurer), Mrs Frankie Andreou (Secretary) Elder: Mr David Hinwood Deacons: Mr John Andreou; Mr David Vaughan
Approved by the Church Council on 27/02/2024 and signed on their behalf by Mathew Bartlett (Chair of Trustees)
INCOME 2023
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD FROM 2021 £35688.17
Sharon Full Gospel Church Balance Sheet 2023
INCOME 2022
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD FROM 2022
£40,981.10
| GENERAL FUNDS | GENERAL FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GIFT AID DONATIONS | £10,284.41 | GIFT AID DONATIONS | £9,708.00 |
| CASH DONATIONS | £7,590.60 | CASH DONATIONS | £7858.50 |
| GIFT AID CLAIM | £0.00 | GIFT AID CLAIM | £5047.85 |
| REFUNDS/COMPENSATION | £150.00 | REFUNDS | £150.74 |
| AMAZON SMILE | £19.46 | AMAZON SMILE | £16.86 |
| BUILDING RENTAL/FEES | £271.00 | BUILDING RENTAL | £122.00 |
| NON-GIFT AID DIRECT DEBITS | £730.00 | NON-GIFT AID DIRECT DEBITS | £1,060.00 |
| EASYFUNDING | £17.29 | EASYFUNDING | £55.55 |
| BANK INTEREST | £22.63 | BANK INTEREST | £0.00 |
| TOTAL GENERAL FUND INCOME: | £19,085.39 | TOTAL GENERAL FUND INCOME: | £25,390.57 |
| RESTRICTED FUNDS INCOME | RESTRICTED FUNDS INCOME | ||
| CHILDRENS DEPT | CHILDRENS DEPT | ||
| JOHN JAMES TRUST | £0.00 | JOHN JAMES TRUST | £2,000 |
| GOSPEL TRUST | £0.00 | GOSPEL TRUST | £2,000 |
| TOTAL CHILDRENS DEPT: | £0.00 | TOTAL CHILDRENS DEPT: | £4,000 |
| CHAPLAINCY | CHAPLAINCY | ||
| SMB TRUST | £2,000.00 | SMB TRUST | £0.00 |
| TOTAL CHAPLAINCY | £2,000.00 | TOTAL CHAPLAINCY | £0.00 |
| HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY | HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY | ||
| PALC DONATION | £0.00 | PALC DONATION | £145.00 |
| NEWSQUEST (HELP2HEAT) | £5,000.00 | TVA (HELP2HEAT) | £4,095.00 |
| TVA (HOPE) | £0.00 | TVA (HOPE) | £5,959.00 |
| ICF WALES | £0.00 | ICF WALES | £2,034.00 |
| MELIN HOMES (CRAFT) | £244.00 | MELIN HOMES | £250.00 |
| TVA (HOPE) | £0.00 | TVA (HOPE) | £7398.00 |
| WESTERN POWER WINTER | £4,776.00 | WESTERN POWER (FOOD) | £2,500.00 |
| BRON AFON | £0.00 | BRON AFON | £500.00 |
| COMMUNITY FUND | £9500.00 | COMMUNITY FUND | £7498.00 |
| TORFAEN CBC F4G | £6,333.28 | TORFAEN CBC | £3834.50 |
| GARFIELD WESTON | £0.00 | GARFIELD WESTON | £2,500.00 |
| MAGIC LITTLE GRANTS | £500.00 | MAGIC LITTLE GRANTS | £500.00 |
| SSP GRANT | £0.00 | SSP GRANT | £192.70 |
| EVENT TAKINGS (FOOD) | £239.76 | EVENT TAKINGS | £391.00 |
| TESCO (FOOD) | £500.00 | TESCO (FOOD) | £0.00 |
| TCBC BUILD RESILENT COMM | £3,250.00 | TCBC BUILD RESILENT COMM | £0.00 |
| CRWODFUNDER (WARM SP) | £2,514.93 | CROWDFUNDER (WARM SP) | £0.00 |
| JH RAUSING TRUST | £6563.00 | JH RAUSING TRUST | £0.00 |
| TOTAL HFTC INCOME: | £39,420.97 | TOTAL HFTC INCOME: | £37,797.20 |
| TOTAL INCOME 2023: | £60,506.36 | TOTAL INCOME 2022: | £67,187.77 |
Notes: Average Weekly Cash Donation: £145.97; Average Weekly Gift Aid Donation: £197.78 Average Weekly other general fund income: £22.84 i.e. Average Weekly general fund income: £366.59 (£1,588.55 per month + approx. £200pm gift aid not yet claimed)
FUNDS HELD AT 31/12/23 RESTRICTED: HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY £12,530.83* GENERAL FUNDS £18,063.16 (-1,315.95 CHILD OVERSPEND) = £16,006.80 CHILDRENS £0.00 CHAPLAIN £765.75
*AFTER JOURNAL TRANSFER FROM HOPE TO GENERAL: 70% NON-RELIGIOUS GENERAL EXPENSES = £10,142.77. (RELIGION-SPECIFIC EXPENSES MARKED ^), 70% ELECTRIC
(HEAT/LIGHT) = £2,619.36. EXPLANATION: HOPE PROJECT USED BUILDING FOR APPROX. 70% OF HOURS OPEN IN 2023.
Registered Charity Number 1050642
Sharon Full Gospel Church Balance Sheet 2023
| EXPENSES GENERAL | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| SALARIES PASTOR | £18,760.00^ | £18,460.00 |
| CLEANER | £1,680.00 | £630.00 |
| ELECTRIC | £3,741.94 | £1,694.65 |
| WATER RATES | £291.59 | £253.14 |
| FIRE SAFETY | £704.56 | £401.34 |
| BUILDING REPAIRS | £1,415.92 | £779.22 |
| INSURANCE | £997.35 | £946.29 |
| VISITING MINISTRY | £495.36^ | £725.64 |
| BROADBAND | £372.68 | £366.59 |
| TV & FITTING | £0.00 | £645.35 |
| LAPTOP | £0.00 | £179.99 |
| CLEANING ITEMS | £228.79 | £145.07 |
| CCLI & SONGSELECT | £361.57^ | £325.00 |
| 31:8 MEMBERSHIP | £145.00 | £145.00 |
| EA MEMBERSHIP | £90.00^ | £90.00 |
| SSL CERT | £72.00 | £72.00 |
| ICE WALES | £200.00^ | £200.00 |
| STATIONERY | £100.84 | £17.61 |
| EVANGELISM/MISSIONS | £883.08^ | £528.02 |
| WASTE DISPOSAL | £447.56 | £120.00 |
| POOR FUND | £0.00 | £94.99 |
| MISC | £907.72 | £423.43 |
| ST DAVID’S FOUNDATION | £160.00 | £0.00 |
| SUBSCRIPTIONS | £325.40 | £0.00 |
| FUNDRAISING | £9.99 | £0.00 |
| PROFESSIONAL FEES | £1,294.00 | £0.00 |
| SUBTOTAL | £33685.35 | 29,333.73 |
| RESTRICTED EXPENSES (CHILD) | ||
| SALARY: CHILDRENS PASTOR | £4,300.00 | £1,442.00 |
| TAX/NI | £80.46 | £72.11 |
| CRAFTS/ACTIVITIES | £442.70* | £370.80 |
| ADVERTISING | £104.92 | £89.64 |
| RECRUITMENT | £0.00 | £50.25 |
| SUBTOTAL | £4,928.08 | £2,024.80 |
| RESTRICTED EXP (CHAPLAIN) | ||
| SALARY: CHAPLAIN | £1,150.00 | £0.00 |
| RECRUITMENT | £84.25 | £0.00 |
| SUBTOTAL | £1,234.25 | £0.00 |
| RESTRICTED EXPENSES (HOPE) | ||
| SALARY: COMMUNITY WORKER | £10,865.76 | £8,800.05 |
| SALARY: KITCHEN ASST | £3000.52 | £0.00 |
| NEW KITCHEN | £0.00 | £8,997.91 |
| SALARY: HOPE MANAGER | £7,956.00 | £5,000.00 |
| SHOP FIT | £1,860.86 | £0.00 |
| TRANSLATION | £47.95 | £0.00 |
| LICENSING | £196.10 | £309.60 |
| ADVERTISING | £653.38 | £735.10 |
| EQUIPMENT | £391.05 | £2,819.13 |
| WESTERN POWER FOOD | £0.00 | £2500.00 |
| FOOD | £5,249.32* | £1,027.70 |
| HELP2HEAT | £1,440.00 | £1,995.00 |
| EVENTS (INC MELIN CRAFT) | £228.62 | £222.52 |
| VOLUNTEER EXPENSES | £196.54 | £124.30 |
| £0.00 | ||
| MISC (INC ADJUST) | £250.30 | £0.00 |
| SUBTOTAL | £32,336.40(12,762.13 XFR) | £30,536.31(£3,078.09 XFR) |
| *INCLUDES EQ MONEY A/C | ||
| HOPE (FOOD) EST | £2,542.51 | £0.00 |
| CHILD DEPT EST | £219.04 | £0.00 |
| SUBTOTAL | £2,761.55 | £0.00 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | £72,184.08 | £61,894.84 |
| CARRY FORWARD TO 2024 | £29,303.38 | £40,981.10 |
Registered Charity Number 1050642
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SHARON FULL GOSPEL CHURCH YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 The rePt relates to flnanclal statements set out on page 1 & 2 Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and examlnor The trustees are responslble for the preparauon of the 84xount8. The charlvs trustees conslder that an audit is not required for thls ye8r ynder secllon 144 of the Charilies Act 2011 (the Charilies Act) arKI thal an independent exomlnation Is needed. It18 my responslblllty to: Examlne Ihe accounts under section 145 of th ,G.h8rities Acl - To follow the procedures laid don..l the genoral Dlrections given by the Charfty Commfisslon (under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the Charfties Act, and - To state whether partlcular matter8.have come to my-att8nlion. Basls of Independent examlnerf8 report My examlnatlon was carried out in acrdanCe with the General Directlons glven by the Charity Commlssloners. An examlnatlon Includes a review of the accountlng records kept by the charlty and a cnmparlson of the accounts presented with those records. 11 also Indudes conslderation ol any unusual Ilems or disclosures In the accounts and'seeklng explanatlons from you as trustees concemlng any such m8tt8r8. The procedures undertaken do not provlde 811 the evldence that would be requlred In 8n audiL and consequently no oplnlon Is glven as lo Nthether the accounts present a 'true and falrf view, and tt report Is Ilmited to those matters set out In the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connectlon wlth my examination. no matter has come to my attentlon to Indlc8te that: (1) Accounts have not been kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Acl 2006 (2) The accounts do not accord with such records. (3) Where accounts a ppared on an accruals basis, whether they fail to comply th levant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companles Act 2006, or are not conststent with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (4) Any matter which the examiner believes should be drawn lo the attenlfion of the rBader to gain proper understanding of the accounts. Susan Lewls FCCA 106a Commercial Slrcct Risca Newporl. NP116EE Oate: 8th August 2024